Worldwide there are over 1,900 known species of fleas, but only a few of these are actually a pest to man.The flea that attacks man
and animals the most is the Cat Flea.A popular myth is the sand flea is the worst flea
enemy of man but believe it or not there is no such flea as the sand flea. The flea is a
parasite which lives off
different hosts feeding on blood. The most common complaint from people concerning fleas is flea bites, usually around the ankle and legs. Different people may vary in how sensitive they are to the bite of the flea, therefore it is possible for 6 people to be living in a house and only 3 or 4 complain of being bitten.
One person in the household will usually be the secondary host and may be bitten
continuously while other members of the house are not bitten at all. This occurs when the
host animal is not available for the fleas to feed on.A flea bite usually has a small red puncture wound surrounded by a red ring. Within a day the bites start to
itch which can cause scratching.
Sensitive dogs or cats bitten by
fleas may lose hair in the area
of the bites or repeated
scratching can lead to open
sores and infection. Fleas are also a
public health problem as vectors
of diseases such as Typhus,
Tapeworm, and Bubonic Plague. It
was the flea feeding on rats by
the Cat Flea that harbored the Bubonic Plague during the Middle Ages that is estimated to have killed 25 million people. Controlling fleas in
someone's home could be difficult because of the life cycle of the flea.Understanding the Biology and living habits of the
Cat Flea is primary to controlling the pest. The life of the flea has 4 stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult. It is the pupa stage or cocoon that creates the biggest problem. The fleas remain in this stage for 5 to 7 days under ideal conditions. They emerge from the pupa
stage when they feel vibrations
in the area that tells them a
suitable meal will be coming by.
If there are no vibrations in
the area such as when someone
moves or goes on vacation the
flea can remain in its pupal
stage for 6 or 7 months. This explains why
when people return from vacation
they are attacked when they come
through the door(That's why if a structure has been vacant for a
long time its wise to create activity in the structure before treating it that way the pre
emerged adults will emerge and contact the pesticide when you apply it). The best way to
prevent fleas in your home is to
check your pet once or twice per
week in the spring and summer,
look for adult fleas crawling between
the hairs of your pet. Small black
to reddish brown specks on the animal
are flea feces. If these are
found your pet should be taken to a veterinarian or grooming parlor. You can even treat your animal yourself if you use a spray with an insect growth regulator. If you find fleas in your house vacuum the rugs and floors, then remove the vacuum bag, place it in a trash bag and throw it away. Then treat your property with a
chemical such as Empire 20 and Ultracide Igr according to
label directions.When treating for fleas it is important to note that the larvae only stay
in shaded areas(This applies to the house and yard) Therefore treating areas that are
exposed to sunlight is futile.Outside treatment for fleas can be accomplished with a long
lasting granule such as Diasinon Granules
or a Liquid such as Empire 20.

What I am calling wasps (Vespidae) are what you
might also call Hornets or yellow jackets. Mostly yellow and black
(though a very common one, Polistes, yellow-brown) you know these as insects to avoid. If
you are allergic to bee and wasp venom, then do avoid them. Remember that individual wasps
can sting you multiple times and when they sting you. Both wasps and bees leave a chemical
:sting me" sign attached to you when you get stung. Thus it is best not
to be around bees and wasps for a while if you do get stung. Unlike bees ( the ones
you will see anyway) wasps are looking for nectar for themselves and "meat" for
their kids (well usually for their siblings since the ones you will see are not
reproducing). The meat often comes in the form of a caterpillar.Watching a wasp
catch and subdue a caterpillar will be a real treat. They are also attracted to strong
odors like perfume and sodas and rotting fruit

Bees,Wasps, Hornets,Yellowjackets, Cicada Killers, All can be
controlled by using Wasp Freeze directly
on the on or in the nests according to label directions.Wasp freezes the insects instantly
and immobilizes them so they cannot sting and then it kills them while they are helpless.
Another excellent tool for wasp and bee control is Delta Dust. This high powered
quick killer is perfect for injection into ground or wall nests made by Yellow Jackets,
Cicada Killers, and Honey Bee's. Since it is a dust it leaves a long lasting residual that
keeps bees & wasps away for a long period of time.

Extremely aggressive.Lives in trees,Walls of houses etc.Can be a major problem when
they choose to make your wall their home.

Treatment

First find the location of the hive in the wall by listening(with a stethoscope if
available) then drill a small hole making sure the hole is small enough to prohibit bees
exiting to the room. Drill the hole into the wall closest to the hive.Then according to
the label directions pump the Delta Dust into the hole you drilled in the wall.

Note: If the hive is a big one there may be an odor as
the honey bee air conditions the honey and when the colony is gone the honey may sour.You
may then need to open the wall and remove the unoccupied hive.